Rights group says regime committing war crimes despite peace talks

By Admin 04 May 2026

DMG Newsroom

4 May 2026, Mrauk-U

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says that although the regime has invited Ethnic Armed Organizations and People’s Defence Forces to engage in peace talks for a 100-day period from April 21 to July 31, 2026, it continues to commit war crimes and human rights violations.

In a statement released on May 3, the AAPP said that even during the period of proposed negotiations, the regime has carried out airstrikes on schools, religious buildings, and hospitals in civilian areas, killing women and children.

“While the regime speaks of peace implementation within 100 days, they are actually bombing schools, religious buildings, and hospitals, resulting in the deaths of women and children,” said U Tate Naing, Secretary of the AAPP.

He added that the killings have worsened compared to the past and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, urging the international community and ASEAN to take action to stop the killing of civilians.

According to the AAPP, one person was arrested for political reasons in April 2026, while 37 people including activists and civilians were killed.

Of those killed, 25 died in airstrikes, seven died in detention, three were shot, and two were killed by heavy artillery explosions, with airstrikes accounting for the majority of deaths.

Despite the peace proposal, the regime has continued nationwide airstrikes, causing significant loss of life and property. Human rights activists say targeting civilians through aerial attacks violates international law, including the Geneva Conventions.

“The regime is calling for peace on one hand while killing civilians on the other. If they truly want peace, they must stop the airstrikes and attacks. Peace cannot be achieved without ending violence,” said U Myat Tun, Director of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association.

Although the regime granted amnesty to 4,335 prisoners nationwide on April 17 for Myanmar New Year, only about 153 political prisoners from 17 prisons were reportedly released.

Since early 2026, the regime has increasingly used multiple aircraft in attacks on civilians, contributing to a rising daily death toll.

Political analyst and writer Wai Hun Aung said the regime’s inconsistency between its statements and actions has undermined its peace efforts. He added that peace will remain out of reach as long as the military continues to dominate political, economic, and social affairs.

While proposing a 100-day peace process, the regime is also attempting to retake territory from Ethnic Armed Organizations and People’s Defence Forces, with ongoing clashes reported in Kachin, Kayin, Chin, and Arakan states, as well as Magway Region.